By: Saidu Jalloh
Sierra Leone has made a significant move toward enhancing transparency and efficiency in public procurement with the validation of the draft Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS) report. The Ministry of Finance convened a high-level meeting to review the findings and recommendations aimed at modernizing the country’s procurement framework. The session brought together key government officials, development partners, and procurement experts to evaluate the draft report.
The meeting was chaired by Mr. Samuel E.B. Momoh, the Principal Deputy Financial Secretary (PDFS), who welcomed participants and underscored the importance of the MAPS exercise in strengthening Sierra Leone’s procurement systems. He emphasized that the validation session marked a crucial milestone in finalizing the report’s findings and recommendations for government adoption.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Momoh commended the collaborative spirit that had characterized the MAPS process. He reaffirmed the Ministry of Finance’s commitment to reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public procurement. He described the MAPS initiative as a “transformative milestone” that will guide the next phase of policy and institutional reforms within Sierra Leone’s public financial management framework.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the World Bank, Mr. Innocent Kamugisha, Senior Procurement Specialist, explained that the MAPS assessment benchmarks Sierra Leone’s procurement systems against international best practices while identifying key reform priorities for the coming years. He pointed out that the assessment, jointly funded by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB), was both participatory and evidence-based, drawing on inputs from government, civil society, and development partners. Mr. Kamugisha commended the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) and the Ministry of Finance for their leadership and coordination throughout the process.
On behalf of the AfDB, Mr. Shaka Momoh praised the level of collaboration and coordination during the MAPS exercise. He urged stakeholders to provide their final inputs to ensure the report accurately reflects the realities of Sierra Leone’s procurement environment. Mr. Momoh reiterated the AfDB’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s ongoing procurement reforms, describing the MAPS as a foundation for future capacity-building and digital transformation initiatives.
The Chief Executive Officer of the NPPA, Chief Fodie J. Konneh, welcomed members of the Steering Committee and reaffirmed the Authority’s central role in driving procurement reforms nationwide. He explained that the MAPS serves as a diagnostic tool for evaluating the performance and effectiveness of the country’s public procurement system. Chief Konneh emphasized that the MAPS assessment replaces the Country Procurement Assessment Report (CPAR), last conducted in 2010, and comes at a crucial time as Sierra Leone transitions toward a digital procurement environment through the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) initiative. He assured stakeholders that the NPPA remains committed to implementing the MAPS recommendations, strengthening institutional capacity, and ensuring value for money in public spending.
Mr. Simeon Sahaydachne, the Lead Consultant, presented the findings and recommendations under Pillars I and II of the MAPS framework Legal, Regulatory, and Policy Framework, and Institutional Framework and Management Capacity. He commended Sierra Leone’s comprehensive legal coverage but identified gaps, including outdated thresholds, limited e-GP provisions, and the absence of framework agreements. He also highlighted issues such as irregular procurement planning, weak coordination between budgeting and procurement, and resource constraints that limit the NPPA’s autonomy.
The presentation of Pillars III and IV Procurement Operations and Market Practices, and Accountability, Integrity, and Transparency was delivered by the AfDB consultant. These pillars underscored challenges such as poor contract management, inadequate data transparency, and low market competitiveness, while acknowledging progress in regulatory reforms and institutional oversight. Key recommendations included modernizing procurement laws to support digitalization, strengthening planning and budgeting linkages, enforcing timely payments, and enhancing stakeholder engagement through open contracting.
Participants, including representatives from the Budget Advocacy Network Sierra Leone (BANSL), Sierra Leone Standards Bureau (SLSB), and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), provided valuable feedback. BANSL stressed the need for continued NPPA oversight to ensure compliance across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), while SLSB called for stronger collaboration in quality assurance. The ACC representative urged the reinforcement of anti-corruption clauses in the Procurement Act and highlighted the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ACC and NPPA to promote integrity and accountability in procurement.
After extensive deliberations, the Steering Committee unanimously endorsed the MAPS report, pending the incorporation of final comments from members. In his closing remarks, Mr. Momoh expressed appreciation for the active participation of all stakeholders and reaffirmed the government’s determination to implement the MAPS recommendations. He emphasized that Sierra Leone remains committed to aligning its procurement systems with international standards and leveraging technology to advance transparency, efficiency, and good governance.